cyclops

n.

(plural cyclopes), 1510s, from Latin, from Greek kyklops, literally "round-eyed," from stem of kyklos (see cycle (n.)) + -ops (see eye (n.)). One of a race of one-eyed giants who forged thunderbolts for Zeus, built the walls of Mycenae, etc.

One-eyed giants in classical mythology. One Cyclops imprisoned Odysseus and his men during their voyage back to Greece after the Trojan War. Odysseus managed to trick the Cyclops and put out his eye. Odysseus and his men were then able to escape.